Get Rich or Lie Trying

1. The rise of influencer culture and its impact on society

Instagram is the perfect marketplace for sex. On Twitter and TikTok, viral users require wit. On YouTube, personality pays. Yet on Instagram, the way we look is carefully self-curated for the consumption of others.

The influencer economy has transformed how we perceive success and self-worth. Social media platforms, particularly Instagram, have created a new class of celebrities who monetize their personal lives and appearances. This shift has blurred the lines between authenticity and performance, with many users curating idealized versions of themselves for public consumption.

• Key aspects of influencer culture:
  • Emphasis on visual aesthetics
  • Monetization of personal life
  • Constant pressure to maintain relevance
  • Blurring of boundaries between public and private spheres

The rise of influencers has also impacted traditional industries, with brands increasingly turning to social media personalities for marketing. This has created new opportunities for individuals to build careers around their online presence, but also raised questions about the long-term sustainability and ethical implications of this new economy.

2. The dark side of fast fashion and its exploitation of workers

Virginia's worst memories are from a rat-infested sweatshop on 22nd Street, between Main and Broadway, south of the fashion district. 'I suffered a lot in that factory. I would even get rat urine on me sometimes. There was like rat poop on the ground. There were rats walking along the ceiling, their droppings would fall on us.'

Fast fashion's hidden costs extend far beyond the cheap prices consumers pay. The industry's rapid production cycles and demand for low-cost clothing have created a system that exploits vulnerable workers, particularly in developing countries. This exploitation occurs in factories with poor working conditions, inadequate safety measures, and unfair wages.

• Key issues in fast fashion production:
  • Unsafe working conditions
  • Low wages and long hours
  • Environmental pollution from textile production
  • Pressure on workers to meet unrealistic quotas

The rise of social media and influencer marketing has further fueled the fast fashion industry, creating a constant demand for new styles and trends. This cycle of consumption and production has significant environmental and social costs, often hidden from consumers who are enticed by low prices and the latest fashions promoted by their favorite influencers.

3. The commodification of bodies and the pressure to conform

'If I had that desired look and that desired body, it's clothing brands, it's gym brands that want to collab with you, it's a financial pathway. I said it to my parents [and] they said "Why are you getting all this surgery?" and I said "I'm investing in my future" and they couldn't understand.'

The pursuit of the "perfect" body has become increasingly tied to financial success in the influencer economy. Social media platforms, particularly Instagram, have created a standardized ideal of beauty that many aspiring influencers feel pressured to achieve. This has led to a rise in cosmetic procedures, often promoted by unregulated companies targeting vulnerable individuals.

• Factors contributing to body commodification:
  • Unrealistic beauty standards promoted on social media
  • Financial incentives for achieving certain body types
  • Normalization of cosmetic procedures
  • Lack of regulation in the cosmetic surgery industry

The pressure to conform to these ideals has significant psychological and physical consequences, with many individuals risking their health and financial stability in pursuit of the "influencer look." This phenomenon highlights the darker aspects of influencer culture and its impact on self-esteem and body image.

4. The manipulation of social media for personal gain

Joel claims to have bootlegged four Facebook Watch pages that were eventually taken down by the tech giant. 'Shopolis had a Watch page and it was an ecommerce store. That was never supposed to happen, that was not what it was meant for.'

Social media manipulation has become a lucrative industry, with individuals and companies exploiting platform algorithms and user behavior for financial gain. This manipulation takes many forms, from the use of bots to inflate follower counts to more sophisticated techniques like creating fake viral content or exploiting platform features in unintended ways.

• Common social media manipulation tactics:
  • Buying fake followers and engagement
  • Creating misleading or sensational content for clicks
  • Exploiting platform algorithms for increased visibility
  • Using multiple accounts to create the illusion of popularity

These practices not only undermine the integrity of social media platforms but also contribute to the spread of misinformation and the erosion of trust online. As platforms struggle to combat these tactics, users are left to navigate an increasingly complex and often deceptive digital landscape.

5. The allure and dangers of get-rich-quick schemes

'If you don't have enough money to constantly update your wardrobe you can revamp what you have … find ways if you're really really sure about what you want for yourself, don't let anyone talk you out of this because they're not gonna be with you when you're in the later years of your life wishing that you used your 20s or your 30s or your 40s differently.'

The promise of easy wealth has become a powerful lure in the digital age, with many individuals falling prey to get-rich-quick schemes and dubious financial advice. Social media platforms have become breeding grounds for these schemes, often disguised as legitimate business opportunities or investment strategies.

• Common types of get-rich-quick schemes:
  • Multi-level marketing (MLM) companies
  • Cryptocurrency investment scams
  • Dropshipping and e-commerce "opportunities"
  • Trading courses and "secret" investment strategies

These schemes often target vulnerable individuals, particularly young people and those facing financial hardship. They exploit the desire for financial independence and the fear of missing out on potential opportunities, often leading to significant financial losses and emotional distress for those involved.

6. The transformation of activism into a personal brand

DeRay has become a fixture on celebrity shows like The Late Show, been named one of Time magazine's 30 most influential people on the internet, and is a regular on the A-list party scene.

The commodification of activism has emerged as a troubling trend in the age of social media. Genuine social movements and causes are increasingly co-opted by individuals seeking to build personal brands and gain influence. This transformation of activism into a form of self-promotion raises questions about the authenticity and effectiveness of online activism.

• Key aspects of "influencer activism":
  • Focus on personal brand building over systemic change
  • Simplification of complex issues for social media consumption
  • Monetization of activist personas through sponsorships and speaking engagements
  • Potential for performative rather than substantive action

While social media has undoubtedly played a role in amplifying important social causes, the rise of influencer activists has also led to the dilution and commercialization of movements. This trend highlights the complex relationship between social media, activism, and personal branding in the digital age.

7. The erosion of truth in the pursuit of online fame

Twitter rewards not only the most articulate but also those who pander to their audience's most extreme biases. The platform's 280-character limit is not the best for conveying nuance, but it is the economic incentives that have turned it into a race to the bottom.

The pursuit of viral fame has led to a troubling erosion of truth and nuance in online discourse. Social media platforms, with their emphasis on engagement and virality, often reward sensationalism and controversy over accuracy and thoughtful discussion. This has created an environment where misinformation and extreme views can flourish.

• Factors contributing to the erosion of truth online:
  • Platform algorithms that prioritize engagement over accuracy
  • Economic incentives for creating controversial or sensational content
  • The rapid spread of information without fact-checking
  • Echo chambers that reinforce existing beliefs and biases

The consequences of this trend extend beyond the digital realm, influencing public opinion, political discourse, and even real-world events. As users become more adept at manipulating these systems for personal gain, the line between truth and fiction becomes increasingly blurred.

8. The economic realities behind the influencer dream

Even if I put any moral considerations to the side and count the winners of the attention economy by looking at their bank balance, there is still a glaring problem. YouTubers, Instagrammers and TikTok creators are all at the whim of the rules, payment models and algorithms of platforms they do not own, cannot control and upon which they are utterly reliant.

The precarious nature of influencer income is often overlooked in the glamorized portrayal of influencer lifestyles. While a select few may achieve significant financial success, the majority of aspiring influencers face an unstable and often unsustainable career path.

• Challenges faced by influencers:
  • Dependence on platform algorithms and policies
  • Inconsistent income streams
  • Pressure to constantly produce content
  • Limited long-term career prospects

The reality of the influencer economy is that it often benefits the platforms and brands more than the individual creators. Many influencers find themselves in a constant struggle to maintain relevance and income, with little job security or protection against sudden changes in platform policies or audience preferences.

9. The global impact of the attention economy

The surveillance of the internet by the Big Tech companies has been for one purpose: to know our thoughts before we do, so they can personalise adverts and sell our attention to the highest bidder.

The attention economy's reach extends far beyond individual influencers and social media users. It has reshaped global industries, altered patterns of consumption, and even influenced geopolitics. The massive accumulation of user data by tech giants has given them unprecedented power and influence.

• Key impacts of the attention economy:
  • Reshaping of traditional media and advertising industries
  • Influence on political discourse and elections
  • Creation of new forms of labor and economic activity
  • Privacy concerns and data exploitation

The concentration of power in the hands of a few tech companies, primarily based in Silicon Valley, has raised concerns about digital colonialism and the global implications of the attention economy. As these companies continue to expand their reach, questions about regulation, data privacy, and the future of work become increasingly urgent.

10. The COVID-19 pandemic's effect on digital culture

By April 2020, all of that optimism felt like a twisted joke, as the year started to resemble a second-rate dystopian thriller. A killer virus swept the earth, racking up over 50 million cases and a global death toll of over 2.7 million by March 2021.

The pandemic accelerated digital transformation, pushing more aspects of daily life online and further entrenching the power of tech companies and digital platforms. This shift has had profound implications for work, education, social interaction, and the economy at large.

• Key effects of the pandemic on digital culture:
  • Increased reliance on digital platforms for work and communication
  • Growth in e-commerce and digital entertainment
  • Exacerbation of existing digital inequalities
  • Rise of new forms of online fraud and misinformation

The pandemic has highlighted both the potential and the limitations of digital technology, bringing issues such as the digital divide and the need for robust online infrastructure into sharp focus. As the world adapts to these changes, the long-term implications for society, work, and human interaction remain to be seen.

Last updated: April 22, 2025